1963 Grange
Vintage reviews
An exceptionally long lived Grange. A beautifully proportioned wine and a classic Grange. Winner of four gold, two silver and one bronze medal between 1964 and 1968. Bottles labelled Bin numbers 65 and 95.
Sourced from the Barossa Valley (including Kalimna Vineyard), Magill Estate (Adelaide), Morphett Vale (Adelaide) and Modbury Vineyard (Adelaide). Shiraz (100%). Growing season and vintage both good, with warm, dry conditions.
Eighteen months in used American oak hogsheads.
Max Schubert, Penfolds chief winemaker
94/100
The first vintage since 1952 to be made from 100% Shiraz, this wine exhibited a fabulously complex nose of smoked meats, Asian spices, sweet, earthy scents, underbrush, licorice, charcoal, black currant, and plum.
The wine is very full-bodied, very sweet, creamy-textured with opulence, a load of glycerin, and a seamlessness. Even some blackberry fruit is still present in this fabulously rich, fully mature, yet vigorous wine.
It should continue to drink well for up to another decade. A great Grange!
Robert M. Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, February 2002
89/100
Harvey Steiman, www.winespectator.com, 31 January 1997
95/100
Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com